Europe Construction Equipment Market Outlook 2027

Known to be the second smallest continent in the world, Europe occupies nearly one-fifteenth of the world's total land area and is composed of the Eurasia peninsula projecting westward. A steady increase in the market can be owed to the increase in developments in infrastructure, including the construction of more commercial buildings, renovations in the existing residential models, and the construction of road transport in the region. As the demand for technologically advanced equipment has picked up a pace around the region, the production capacities of the equipment manufacturers have not sped up. Many manufacturers have already reported being insufficient in obtaining components at the required rate. Currently, such equipment is being utilized the most for building residential units because of Europe's growing population, which is increasingly moving to the cities.

The report titled Europe Construction Equipment Market Outlook, 2027 highlights the performance and the market evolution of countries in the European Union. The report includes a study of how the market has evolved over the years, as well as how the market is expected to grow in the forecasted period. Overall, the European market has shown impressive growth, but the progress is not evenly distributed over the region. Southern Europe is still comparatively at a low level, but the gap between the north and south markets has started to get smaller with governments' efforts to improve the infrastructure in the overall region. The overall construction equipment market in the region was valued at around USD 34 billion, which is anticipated to grow at more than 5.5% CAGR for 2022-2027.

Germany and Russia are the highest-contributing individual countries in the region in terms of the overall equipment market. While all the major countries are expected to show a decrease in their market share, only Russia is expected to show marginal growth in the forecasted period. While the collection of the smaller countries is expected to contribute more in the forecast period in comparison to the major countries, it is expected to grow to more than 28% by the end of the forecast period.

In this regard, the rapid construction of smart cities is driving the demand for machinery for construction and material handling. As human activities, such as electricity generation and transportation, contribute to the degradation of the environment, cities of the future are being designed to curb environmental degradation by reducing the consumption of electricity. Moreover, the total cost of ownership of EVs is lower than those running on diesel and gasoline, as electric variants do not have many of the mechanical parts common in conventional powertrains. This makes the maintenance of electric construction and material handling machinery cost-effective. Moreover, electricity is cheaper than diesel, which further reduces the total cost of ownership of EVs. This is why major European construction and material handling machinery market players are launching electric variants of such machines. For instance, Cargotec Corporation launched eight electric lifting equipment models under the Kalmar Electric Reachstacker brand in December 2021.

The material handling & cranes segment is anticipated to witness a rapid growth rate in the European construction equipment market owing to an attractive economic landscape and significant demand for goods movement. Furthermore, the need for a safe working environment in industrial facilities in European countries will fuel the demand for cranes and other material handling equipment. The increasing adoption of bulk-material handling equipment for the fast completion of large construction projects is augmenting equipment demand in Europe.

Furthermore, to fight major problems like traffic congestion, population explosion, high manufacturing costs, and ageing transportation infrastructure, developing economies are now investing heavily in infrastructure development. Developed economies are focusing on improving their current infrastructure by investing in technologies such as earthquake-proof buildings, hyperloop, etc. These factors are boosting the sales of construction machinery across the globe. The demand for machines that are cost-effective, along with regulatory pressures for lower emissions, is pressuring construction-equipment manufacturers to opt for electric and hybrid vehicles over the traditional hydraulic and mechanical ones across the European region. In addition to that, the construction industry is getting smarter. Digitalization, connectivity, and automation are driving development forward, having a substantial impact on construction projects. Tech company Iotic, construction company BAM Nutall of the UK and researchers from Cranfield University have developed an AI based twin technology system that gives live updates of the progress at a construction site. This technology increases on-site productivity and operational efficiency.

Many key construction equipment manufacturers across the globe have launched their electrical construction equipment. In 2020, Dutch company BAM infra built the world's first electric road roller that is capable of saving more than 70 liters of fuel per day and cutting 236 kilograms of carbon dioxide per day. The roller is currently deployed at Almere municipality and it is helping BAM infra to achieve its sustainability goals.

The construction industry contributes more than 9% of the European Union's current GDP. Europe is witnessing a major growth in construction owing to the rapid development of transport infrastructure. Projects such as London Crossrail (worth more than EUR 17 billion) and Germany and Denmark's Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link, which is 18 kilometers long and the world's longest immersed road and rail tunnel, are driving the growth of the market. When compared to the United States, Europe ranks high in the usage of wheeled excavators. Most of the work done in Europe takes place in urbanized areas, while in the United States; work projects include major clearing of land and digging. Demand for construction equipment grew in almost every country after the economic slowdown of 2008-10. This can be credited to factors such as residential construction activities in Germany and France; low interest rates; and infrastructure development in South European nations.

The big city plan will increase the size of Birmingham, England by 25%. With an estimated cost of USD 17 billion, this plan aims at constructing 5000 new houses and revamping New Street Station at an estimated cost of 600 Million Euros. The European construction equipment market is a consolidated one with players such as Liebherr, Volvo Equipment, etc. dominating the market. Volvo Construction Equipment announced in an official statement that it will start producing compact electric excavators and wheel loaders in 2019. From mid 2020, EC 15 to EC 27 electric excavators and L20 to L28 electric wheel loaders will be in production.

The European Construction Equipment Market's Recent Launch

• In Europe, CASE Construction Equipment introduced the new Mini-Excavator D-Series line, which includes 20 models ranging from 1-tonne to 6-tonne, as well as two electric variants.
• Each new D-Series Mini-Excavator is equipped with the latest technology, features, and attachments for all markets and applications.
• In addition, the range offers a complete line-up of machines that deliver a solution for any customer’s needs. The European CASE D-Series Mini-Excavator series is produced in dedicated plants in Italy using synergies in innovation, technology, expertise, and production.
• Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced that three new electric-powered compact equipment models will be introduced. The new L20 Electric from Volvo CE is a 4.5-ton wheel loader with a 1.8-ton payload and a 1.65-meter track width.
• The L20 Electric has a parallel-type linkage for better vision over the attachment in use, as well as 100% parallel movements for fork applications. The new EC18 and ECR18 electric compact excavators are similar to their diesel counterparts in many ways.
• The next-generation SK550DLC-11 demolition excavator from Kobelco Construction Machinery Europe has been released, with improved engine performance, higher durability, and improved operator comfort over its preceding model.
• The SK550DLC-11 machine has four ultra-long attachment options and can work to a maximum height of 27.5m. The separate boom arrangement is appropriate for dealing with lower floors of tall buildings, and reinforced attachments may be simply replaced on the job site.
• According to a KHL Group report, there are an increasing number of electric construction equipment products on the market, with as many as 140 non-combustion machines introduced and almost half of the launches being electric.
• Around 75 of the 860 machines that have been upgraded or added to KHL’s online equipment sourcing guides are brand-new items. 36 of them are powered by electricity. The four online databases created by KHL - Construction Sourcing Guide, D& R Buyers Guide, Access Buyers Guide, and World Crane Guide - were used for the analysis. These include aerial platforms; compaction; cranes; demolition; and earthmoving machinery.
• Many scissor lifts and smaller booms have historically been battery operated, but there have been electric product releases across the board. Aerial platforms make up a sizable share of the new electric items.
• According to a recent launch analysis, between 5 and 6 percent of new machines (excluding aerial platforms) are expected to be electric. Tracked excavators, wheeled loaders (including small models), and tracked loaders are the earthmoving categories with the highest percentage of electric models, followed by site dumpers and backhoe loaders.
• The transition to electric is also evident in road construction equipment, where more than 20% of new single and tandem rollers are battery-powered. New mobile crushers also tended to be electric by a sixth. Crawler and industrial cranes were the goods in the crane market that were most likely to be electrified.

On the other hand, the European companies are interested in the R&D department, where they regularly develop new products, adopt expansion strategies, and establish collaborations and partnerships to gain traction in the global construction equipment market. For instance,

• Xerotech launched a modular battery platform, which could potentially be used across an entire range of electrically-powered construction equipment. Combining seven variants of modules with a choice of battery cell chemistry, the Hibernium system can range in power from 15 kWh up to 300 kWh.
• Volvo CE launched a totally electric machine. It is the 3rd prototype of this type from the manufacturer, after the HX2 mini dumper and the EX2 mini excavator, that shows the interest in this technology. The LX2 compact loader is equipped with a lithium-ion new-generation battery.
• JCB Power Systems has launched a new range of EU Stage 5-compliant engines to power OEM equipment designed for off-highway applications in both mobile and stationary industrial equipment and generators.
• Oracle has launched a range of solutions for the construction industry, using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse project data. The suite of solutions is designed to help users detect risks and make more informed project decisions, and the first application within the range is Oracle Construction Intelligence Cloud Service.
• Juniper Systems enhances customization for ultra-rugged devices such as GPS and sub-meter DGPS, digital cameras, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cell modem connectivity, as well as devices with full alphanumeric keyboards, designed for applications in utilities, metre reading, GIS mapping, landscape management, public safety, and several other public services for construction equipment.
• Caterpillar Mining has partnered with Thorough Tec Simulation in an effort to provide the latest-generation, simulator-based equipment training to its customers. The goals of the partnership are to boost productivity, increase machine availability, and create more sustainable mining operations.
• In February 2020, Volvo CE launched its new compact electric excavator and wheel loader, ECR25, across its key markets in Europe, including France, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands.

Europe is also witnessing a construction boom of late in the region on account of residences for nuclear families pitching in together. This includes Milanosesto Mixed-Use Complex (Italy), ZAC Campus Grand Parc Mixed-Use Development (France), Viadux Mixed-Use Community (U.K.), Camden Goods Yard Mixed-Use Community (U.K.), and Sackville Road Residential Community (U.K.). The governing bodies of several countries across Europe have been investing in the development of road infrastructure, railway infrastructure, and commercial places. For instance, in December 2020, the European Union announced the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy that aims for a two-fold increase in high-speed rail traffic by 2030 and a three-fold increase by 2050.

COVID-19 Impacts:

The rapidly spreading COVID-19 health crisis has affected the global economy on a large-scale. Stringent lockdowns announced by several countries across the globe have resulted in a temporary suspension of construction activities. The pandemic has also led to financial insecurities among consumers in Europe, owing to which the demand for new residential properties is sharply declining. Construction contractors and companies operating in the infrastructure development sector are postponing the purchases of new construction equipment, thereby hampering industry growth in 2020. However, infrastructure development activities have especially picked up since the lifting of the COVID-19 lockdowns on the continent, as the long-delayed projects now need to be completed at a much higher pace.

Major companies present in the market

Caterpillar Private Limited, CNH Industrial, Doosan Infracore, Epiroc Construction Machinery Co. Ltd, Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd, J C Bamford Excavators Ltd, John Deere Ltd, Kobe Steel Ltd, Komatsu Ltd., Kubota Corporation, Liebherr Group, Metso Corporation, Sandvik Mining And Rock Technology, Sany Group, Terex Corporation, Volvo Construction Equipments, XCMG Ltd., Zoomlion Co. Ltd

Considered In the Report

• Geography: Europe
• Base year: 2021
• Historical year: 2016
• Estimated year: 2022
• Forecasted year: 2027

Countries covered:

• UK
• Germany
• Russia
• France
• Spain
• Italy

Aspects Covered In the Report

• Market Size By Value for the historic time period (2016-2021)
• Market Size By Value for the forecast time period (2021-2027)
• Market Share by Application (2016, 2021 & 2027F)
• Market Share by Equipments (2016, 2021 & 2027F)
• Market Share by Country (2016, 2021 & 2027F)
• Market Share by Company (2021)

Segments covered in the Report

By Application

• Earth Moving Machinery
• Material Handling Machinery
• Concrete and road construction Machinery
• Other Machinery

By Earth Moving Machinery

• Excavators
• Loaders
• Dozers
• Motor Graders

By Material Handling Machinery

• Dumper /Dump Truck/ Tippers
• Cranes (Tower Crane, Mobile Crane)
• Telescopic Handlers
• Forklift

By Concrete and Road Construction Machinery

• Cement/Transit mixers
• Compactors & Road Rollers
• Pavers/Asphalt Finishers
• Others

Intended Audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to the construction machinery and excavator industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.